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98
have their confinements at home. On the contrary, there seems to be an
increase in those where it is most undesirable that the confinement should
take place at home. Approach was made to the Harrow Hospital to
ascertain whether arrangements could not be come to, by which the
Council could help the hospital to use as a maternity ward, the ward
erected during the war and which was being released from E.M.S. purposes.
At the time nothing could be done on these lines. Consideration
was then given to the question of the possibility of using the Stanmore
Isolation Hospital, which since March, 1944, had not been open for the
reception of infectious cases, as a small maternity home for uncomplicated
cases. The Minister, however, being of the opinion that a greater expenditure
of labour and material than could then be afforded for this
purpose would be necessary, declined to authorise the scheme. In the
meantime, the County Council accepted responsibility as a County charge
for the admission of mothers from Middlesex to some of the emergency
maternity hostels which had been opened under the Government Evacuation
Scheme
POST-NATAL SERVICES.
Post-natal Examination.
Mothers recently confined, are recommended to be examined some
six weeks after delivery. No separate clinic for this purpose has been
established here, as it is felt that there is more likelihood of the mothers
attending if they come to the same building and are seen by the same
staff as undertook their ante-natal care. Where considered necessary
patients are referred to the consultant at his ante-natal clinic. During
the year 234 mothers attended. No women took advantage this year,
of the facilities by which they can receive this service from their own
medical attendant in the same way as they received ante-natal care.
The question of the establishment of a gynaecological clinic, to be
attended by those suffering from diseases peculiar to women, was considered.
As it was felt that the service is one so intimately bound up
with the question of hospital accommodation, and as it appears any
suffering from such conditions can receive adequate attention at the
Redhill County Hospital, no further steps were taken.
Consultant Services.
Any of the consultants on the Council's panel, and the obstetricians
at Redhill Hospital are available to assist general medical practitioners
in difficulties at the confinement or in the post-natal period. This year
one was summoned, the patient suffering from post-partum haemorrhage.
Puerperal Infection.
(a) Consultant Services : On no occasion this year was the consultant
summoned on account of puerperal infection.
(b) Hospital Services : The admission to hospital of patients
suffering from puerperal infection, who need institutional treatment,
is arranged by the Council at no cost to the patient. Before the war
patients were admitted, preferably with their infants to the isolation
block of the L.C.C. North Western Isolation Hospital, Hampstead, or